King Solomon Research Paper

Solomon. The wisest man in history according to the bible. Yet Solomon’s father David, started life as a shepherd. Solomon grew up in the city of Jebus who's name was changed to Jerusalem when David conquered it. He grew up in the palace with his brothers and sisters. He knew first hand the stresses of being a king. He became king shortly before his father died. During his reign he accomplished one of his father’s dreams. He, under God’s direction, build a temple as a symbol that God dwells among his people. At the beginning of his reign he had a very close walk with God, but as his reign progressed he started drifting away from God. Thankfully, in his old age, he repented and turned back to God. During his life, Solomon wrote several books.

During this time, his influence was great with in his own nation and with the surrounding nations. Sadly though, Solomon, for some reason, made an alliance with Egypt by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter. This act went against God’s plan. “But in forming an alliance with a heathen nation, and sealing the compact by marriage with an idolatrous princess, Solomon rashly disregarded the wise provision that God had made for maintaining the purity of His people.” (PK 53.2) This alliance through marriage was not the only one of its kind. The bible states that “he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines:and his wives turned away his heart” (1 Kings 11:3) He had many wives that were from the surrounding nations. It was these wives that began the process of turning Solomon’s heart away from God. Solomon did not suddenly chose not to follow God, rather it was a slow and gradual falling away from the principles that he believed in. “Little by little he withheld from God that unswerving obedience which was to make Israel a peculiar people, and he conformed more and more closely to the customs of the surrounding nations. Yielding to the temptations incident to his success and his honored position, he forgot the Source of his prosperity.” (PK 55.1) This is a very easy place to find yourself in. When every thing is going great I often forget who my strength and help is as did